Petition: Abolish faith schools (UK) - Part 2!

[G4Z]

Ok, so I may be dragging this topic up for a second time and I know the last thread was closed due to it going off topic (why you wouldn't expect that after 30 odd pages, I dunno...). however the government has posted a response to the petition and I thought that I would post it.

The Government remains committed to a diverse range of schools for parents to choose from, including schools with a religious character or "faith schools" as they are commonly known.

Religious Education (RE) in all schools, including faith schools, is aimed at developing pupils' knowledge, understanding and awareness of the major religions represented in the country. It encourages respect for those holding different beliefs and helps promote pupils' moral, cultural and mental development. In partnership with national faith and belief organisations we have introduced a national framework for RE.

In February 2006, the faith communities affirmed their support for the framework in a joint statement making it clear that all children should be given the opportunity to receive inclusive religious education, and that they are committed to making sure the framework is used in the development of religious education in all their schools and colleges.

The Churches have a long history of providing education in this country and have confirmed their commitment to community cohesion. Faith schools have an excellent record in providing high-quality education and serving disadvantaged communities and are some of the most ethnically and socially diverse in the country. Many parents who are not members of a particular faith value the structured environment provided by schools with a religious character.

faithschools - epetition response

To me that, is typical of what we can expect from this government. Not even a commitment to look again at the issues and listen to petitioners. Just an all too predictable 'well, screw it we will do what we want anyway and not even go near the main thrust of the petitioners argument'.

[Spud1]

I just got this in an email too, pretty much the reply we expected isn't it?

This government that we have doesn't listen to its people, and odds are it never will, no matter which party we elect. It really gets me angry (or well, used to ) but now i've resigned to accept it, and I still intend to move out of the country as soon as its financially viable. Swtizerland still appeals to me, a much more sensible country with a democratic system that appears, well, democratic, and they don't have any plans at the moment to introduce stupid ideas such as biometric passports (although they do have ID cards, its not mandatory atm and the cards don't hold anywhere near as much information as the ones the UK is introducing). Oh and theres the benefit of not being in the EU, so i'd be safe from the wrath of Mr Blair =)

Don't get me wrong I'm still proud to be british to a large degree - but I'm ashamed of our government and the way the majority of this country is going.

[chicken]

As I've said before, it has become clear that the Government Petition Site is not actually a means for the public to petition to get things changed, but for the government to collect the addresses of those who would disagree with them so they can try to convince them otherwise.

Show me an instance where this site has actually instigated a change

[nichomach]

The vast majority of schools in the UK are secular. Those that aren't have to conform to the national curriculum anyway. Frankly, I'm glad that HMG refused the petition. I don't try to and wouldn't want to dictate to anyone else how they should bring up their kids, in which faith or lack thereof. You're an atheist, G4Z; fine. Neither I nor my wife is, and we'll be sending our daughter to a CofE school (with any luck) where she'll be taught openness toward and tolerance of others' beliefs. You're free to send yours to any one of the vast number of secular schools.

[Stewart]

Remove schools from that and I'm all for it.

Abolish faith.

Lets all stop living in the Middle Ages.

Then Nichos daughter wont need to be brainwashed into the Christian faith just because her parents buy it.

Everyone wins.

[chicken]

It's not really the best of worded petitions tbh, it seemed a bit full-on.

I'm not religious but we do seem to have a bit of a problem in this country of "You can't come to this school because your not part of this church", and the whole Science lesson debate.

IMO religion should be taught, but taught in RE lessons, only Science should be taught in Science lessons, and no-one should be refused a school or feel they can't go to a school based solely on their faith or lack thereof. Schools should have a common base-line and you can take what you like from there in your own time.

[directhex]

Show me an instance where this site has actually instigated a change

the prime minister now spends 10 minutes a day on his head juggling ice cream

[med2003]

It's interesting that the reply seemed to totally skip the part in the petition about not wanting Creationism taught in faith schools as fact. True politician BS of selectively answering a question.

[G4Z]

The vast majority of schools in the UK are secular. Those that aren't have to conform to the national curriculum anyway. Frankly, I'm glad that HMG refused the petition. I don't try to and wouldn't want to dictate to anyone else how they should bring up their kids, in which faith or lack thereof. You're an atheist, G4Z; fine. Neither I nor my wife is, and we'll be sending our daughter to a CofE school (with any luck) where she'll be taught openness toward and tolerance of others' beliefs. You're free to send yours to any one of the vast number of secular schools.

Mate, I don't want to rehash the previous argument too much however there is no such thing as a secular school in the UK and that really gets my goat. When I went to a typical public school they did try to brainwash me with the usual christian patter, saying prayers, reading from the bible, and all that hoocum.

The response from the govt is a joke because if there really was a choice and it was about choice I would be able to send a kid of mine to a really secular school.

I have to agree with Stewart here :
'Then Nichos daughter wont need to be brainwashed into the Christian faith just because her parents buy it.' - its an insightful comment imho if you really wanted your kid to make a free and open choice you wouldn't push any religion and by sending her to a CoE school that is exactly what you are doing. If your faith is really that blindingly obvious, why not let her decide for herself? Is it because maybe if you do that there is a good chance she will come up with a different answer to you?

[Wyoming]

I'm a big believer in the separation of Church/Faith and State. I do not mind what activities a religious believes engages in, people should be free to choose in this respect.

I am against religion when it prevents me making choices, say that tax revenues are used to spend on faith schools. I can't choose what to do with that money which is gathered from me as tax. Religion has limited my ability to choose in this way.

I have no problem with independent faith schools, but state funded faith schools are to my mind a thing of the past and should be made secular or privatised.

[Blitzen]

Done!

They should all be knocked down.

[usxhe190]

Fact Alert: parents "brainwash" their kids all the time.

Lets all stop living in the Middle Ages.

side note - this is coming from a guy who is scared of flying - isn't that a bit ironic?

[nichomach]

And once again, the debate gets down to "you're an evil brainwashing brainwasher brainwashing your kid and why should my taxes pay for...." blah, blah, blah. Not interested.

[neonplanet40]

Sounds like a fair enough response in my opinion. you dont want your child to go to one then don't send them to one. You dont want them to do RE then write in and say that they arent to do it. Leaves the choice for everyone.

I agree with the govt for a change. Especially in Northern Ireland. To mix the religious schools would be a very bad move indeed.

[usxhe190]

When I went to a typical public school they did try to brainwash me with the usual christian patter, saying prayers, reading from the bible, and all that hoocum.

brainwashing sux. did you notify the authorities that brainwashing is taking place in your school?

[Stewart]

Fact Alert: parents "brainwash" their kids all the time.



side note - this is coming from a guy who is scared of flying - isn't that a bit ironic?

You seem a tad confused.

I am not scared of flying because I consider it 'new fangeld' or 'the devils work'. Its a fear.

Having a phobia of flying, or water, or spiders in no way makes you old fashioned, or means you are living in the past.

So to answer your question - no, its not ironic, in any way, shape or form.

Thanks for asking though.